Pick up the Magpul DVD sets, at the very least. For under $100 you can observe how quality shooters shoot.
Trying the way I was used to was comfortable, but muzzle rise was noticeable. Watching the Magpul DVDs, and emulating Costa as much as my overweight outta shape ass can, while uncomfortable, helped the muzzle jump significantly. After a few hours of standing in the position I was emulating, it has become more natural. It still feels funny, but it WORKS. I will continue my training with this stance, get in shape, and hopefully it will become second nature.
Got 'em both brother! Yeah, the information in those dvd’s is cutting edge, well done, and easy to follow. I consider myself very in shape, but even at that, it takes some time to get all of that into muscle memory. Dry fire drills are key. I have 3 IPSC target in my basement behind my pool table. I find it amazing how much practice you can do without even firing your weapon. With ammo as much as it is, dry fire drills like this are a must!
In my opinion one of the most essential pieces of equipment when it comes to training is a shot timer. All of my shooting nowadays is done on a timer, and it has vastly improved my skill.
It gives you a concrete feedback, and personal goals to work towards.
For instance I today set a peronal best record with a 1.66 second reload on my pistol shooting at 8 inch circles at five yards. When I started out I was hovering around 3 seconds.
Sick. I had that on my purchase list until recently. My rolled over to my place the other day with his new iphone and was showing me one of his apps. It is a shot timer from Surefire. Crazy eh?
Some shooters have a tendency to place too much pressure (left or right, depending on the shooter’s dominate hand) on either the pistol grip and or stock, anticipating the recoil, instead of rearward pressure. I have to make a conscious effort not to squeeze too tight on the pistol grip, and let my trigger finger do the work, instead of the whole hand, so I don’t develop “snatchola”, and yank the rounds to the right, while simultaneously pulling the weapon into my shoulder and driving the weapon with my support hand, from target to target (VTAC 2x2x2 drill, or 1-5 drill).